Roscosmos is planning to deploy three Express-RV telecom satellites in highly elliptical orbits in 2026, following the launch of the first satellite of the series, Roscosmos Executive Director for Advanced Projects and Science Alexander Bloshenko told Interfax.
As to when the entire group might be deployed, Bloshenko said, "2026, that's what we are planning."
About 12 billion rubles will be assigned within the framework of the Sfera program to put the four satellites into orbit, he said.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media will invest 33.4 billion rubles in the development of the satellites, Bloshenko said.
He said earlier that the first Express-RV satellite would be launched in 2025, and its development would begin in 2022.
Bloshenko told Interfax in April that the Digital Development Ministry would designate Roscosmos as the client in the Express-RV development project, which would be included in the Sfera program in 2023. He also said that the program would be handed over together with its budget.
The Digital Development Ministry was working on the Express-RV satellites as part of the federal project "Providing Internet access by Developing Satellite Communication" implemented by the Russian Satellite Communications company. The project envisages the development of an Express telecom satellite in 2024 and its launch into a geostationary orbit in 2025, while four Express-RV telecom satellites will be placed into highly elliptical orbits. There are plans to build another eight Express satellites and to provide the Russian Satellite Communications company with a subsidy for Express-RV satellites.